Reversible strut for brake-beams.



P. B. HARRISON. REVERSIBLE STRUT FOR BRAKE BEAMS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.16, 1911.

1,105,1 38, Patented Jiily 28,1914.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO PHOTO-LITHO, WASI UNGTON D.

unrrnn STATES PATENT enrich) PHILIP B. nnnmson/ or cHIeAG LLINoIs, assrenon o CHICAGO RAI WAY I EQUIPMENT ooIvIrAn 0F cH-IcAeo, ILLINOIS, a CORPDRATIQN or ILLINOIS.

REVERSIBLE sTnUT non RAKE-snares.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 16,1311. Serial N 0. 660,742.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PI-iILIr B. HAnnIsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Reversible Struts for BrakeBeams, of which the following is a full, clear, and eXact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which, it appertains to make and use the same, ref-,

erence being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a brake beam showing my improved strut in position thereon for use in connection with a right hand brake lever. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing my improved strut lever in position to be used in connection with a left hand brake lever. Fig. 3 is a top plan view partly in section of my improved reversible strut. Fig. l is a side elevational view of the same. Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the same. Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view through the stem of the strut.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in reversible struts especially adapted for use in connection with brake beams, the object being to construct a strut whose ends are substantially alike and provided with seats for the compression and tension beam members respectively, whereby the strut is interchangeable end for end and may be used for either a right or left hand brake lever for inside and outside hung brakes.

My invention also contemplates means for fixedly securing the strut upon the compression member, which means is practically duplicated at each end of the strut, and incidentally to this securing means, I also provide each end of the strut with a perforated projection which may be employed asfan element of the third suspension or support such as disclosed in the Kiesel patent, No. 997,922, dated July 11th, 1911.

By the use of my invention it is possible for the makers of brake beams and their customers, such as railroads who wish to carry repair partsin their shops, to dispense with right and left hand struts, the manufacturers economizing in the manufacture of these struts by the use of a single pattern when two patterns have heretofore been required for right and left hand one piece struts.

PatentedJuly1914.

In the drawings: 1 indicatesthe comprescross section, although it islobviousthat compression members of different cross sec 'sion member shown here as U-shaped in j tional contour may be employed; '2 is the. tension member here shown as a round rod,"

although it is obvious-that other forms of strut, said strut being shown as" having a single pin hole at'the center thereof. i

. tension members may be employed; 3 is the B is the slot through which the brake lever passes, said slotvpreferably noteX- tending throughout the length of the cylin- "drical portion of the strut, but "terminating short of'the ends thereof, so as to provide v solid cylindrical end portions integral with the strut ends. I

C are the end walls of the strut from which extend a wall D for embracing the compression member, this wall D having perforated lugs Eat diagonally opposite corners of the strut for the attachment of brake release springs and third suspension members, the latter being indicated at a in:

F lndicates seats for the tension member arranged L each end of the strut and within the wall D. The compression member 1 v is arranged within its seat provided by the wall D and afterward a wedge 5 is driven through an opening substantially parallel to the end wall C, so as to engage the legs of the compression member and force the same outwardly against the wall D. The

small end of the wedge key is bent down pension hanger, while the downwardly presented lugs E at the diagonally opposite corner of the strut may be employed for the attachment of the block 4: which'cotiperates. with the third suspension spring. In service, if it is desired at any time to" reverse the position of the strut, it is turned end for end, and any wear which might have occurred in the pin opening and .which is indicated by dotted lines a in Fig. &, will be taken up by the changed position of the strut and the unworn wall 6 of the pin opening will now be located in front of the pin to receive the strain.

Claims:

1. A reversible strut having seats for the compression and tension members at each end and provided with transversely disposed key openings for the reception of wedge keys whereby the compression member is clamped in position.

, 2.-A one piece vreversible strut having a solid wall at each end forming a seat for the compression member seats for the tension member located within said solid wall and wedge key openings for receiving wedge keys which cooperate with the legs of the compression member.

3. A reversib-le'strut having solid .walls at each end forming seats for the compression member, seats for the tension member located within said walls and wedge key openings traversing the compression member seats.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature in the presence of two witnesses, this 13th day of November, 1911.

PHILIP B. HARRISON.

Witnesses:

Enw. T. WVALKER, M. F. HUNTooN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). G. 

